Abstract
This review highlights the available literature on the nutrition of six neo-tropical animals with the potential for domestication—the agouti (Dasyprocta leporina/D. aguti), lappe (Agouti paca), capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), manicou/opossum (Didelphis marsupialis insularis), collared peccary (Peccary tajucu) and the red brokcet deer (Mazama americana). Over 100 references were used, spanning over 100 years. The earliest being 1915 and the most recent being 2018. The references used in this review were synthesized to give a detailed look of the dentition, anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract and type of feed these animals consume. Nutritional requirements of the animals are required to understand what is needed for growth, maintenance and reproduction of each physiological stage. The agouti (D. leporina/D. aguti) was observed to be a monogastric mammal that fed primarily on fruits, seeds, animal matter and practiced caecotrophy. The lappe/paca (C. paca/A. paca) was described as a strict herbivore and a frugivore which practiced caecotrophy, with a diet that varied throughout the year, according to food availability. The capybara (H. hydrochaeris) was found to be the largest known rodent and was described as a semiaquatic hindgut fermenter that practiced caecotrophy. The manicou/opossum (D. marsupialis insularis) was found to be an omnivore with a simple stomach. The collared peccary (T. tajacu) was found to be frugivorous. Their unique stomach enabled them to consume a wide variety of feedstuff, allowing them to be found in a wide range of habitats. The red brocket deer (M. americana), a ruminant, was described as a browser that consumed mainly fruits and seeds and they frequented mineral lick. Knowledge of what they consume in the wild is important, so that we know what to feed in captivity. There is also the need to evaluate captive diets while trying to domesticate these mammals and develop nutrient requirement tables for these neo-tropical animals. Finally, an understanding of the dentition and gastrointestinal tract is important to increase efficiency (nutritional and cost). These six neo-tropical mammals were chosen due to their prevalence as game species in Trinidad and Tobago.
Highlights
According to World Health Organization, nutrition is the consumption of food to meet the body’s dietary requirements
Two types of feces are produced: one which consisted of hard, dark balls and another which was a soft paste that was ingested during caecotrophy [32]
Capybaras suffered from scurvy, as, during vitamin C deprivation they displayed signs of scurvy, such as broken or loss of incisors, gingivitis and even one death, which started 25–104 days after deprivation
Summary
According to World Health Organization, nutrition is the consumption of food to meet the body’s dietary requirements. Animal material, they do not require such broad, flat molars Instead, they usually hunt and kill their food, so they are well equipped with sharp incisors and pointed canine teeth and fewer molars, which have serrated edges. They usually hunt and kill their food, so they are well equipped with sharp incisors and pointed canine teeth and fewer molars, which have serrated edges Omnivores consume both plant and animal matter and can have either heterodont or homodont dentition. Herbivores have special microflora, found in the caecum or rumen, which breaks down cellulose into volatile fatty acids and glucose Since omnivores eat both plant and animal matter, their digestive system is similar to carnivores except that the caecum is functional, just not as large and efficient as in herbivores [8]. Veterinarians will be able to advise clients as well as treat neo-tropical animals that suffer from nutritional deficiency diseases in captivity
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